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Nicholas Walters connects on a left straight against Nonito Donaire. HBO |
By Ivan Saldajeno
Nicholas Walters knocked out Nonito Donaire just at the end of the sixth round to claim the WBA Featherweight Super Championship at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
Walters connected on a right hook that floored Donaire at the 2:59 mark of Round 6 as the latter failed to stand up at Referee Raul Caiz Jr.'s ten count.
Donaire, fresh from knocking out Vic Darchinyan late last year, looked impressive in the first two rounds, even almost putting Walters to the canvas before the end of the second round.
But Walters caught Donaire with an uppercut in the third round that knocked down the former champion, who also got a cut on his right eye.
Since then, Donaire slowed down and Walters began to take control, although Donaire had some moments late in the fourth and the fifth rounds.
Walters finally ended the fight with the right hook after another late exchange that sent Donaire to his third loss against 33 wins.
Walters, who moves to 25-0 with 21 knockouts, gained the honor of being only the first boxer to knock out Donaire in the latter's professional career.